THE sidelined star duo of Bryan Bagunas and Marck Espejo headlines Alas Pilipinas Men’s provisional 21-man squad for next month’s 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship in Manila.
READ: Espejo, Bagunas on track for Alas return in time for FIVB Worlds
The FIVB released initial rosters for all 32 teams ahead of the biggest edition of the global conclave yet, all of which still subject to the governing body’s player eligibility reviews.
Joining Bagunas and Espejo, both recovering from knee injuries, as Alas’ outside hitter options is a trio of UAAP standouts in Buds Buddin, Jade Disquitado, and Season 87 MVP Kennedy Batas.
The opposite hitter quartet, meantime, features three familiar names in Leo Ordiales, Louie Ramriez, and Steven Rotter, along with 6-foot-1 Visayan under-21 standout Ike Andrew Barilea.
Four setters are also in the mix for head coach Angiolino Frigoni — two of whom being his lead playmakers in international play this year in national team veteran Owa Retamar and La Salle setter Eco Adajar.
Also included in the setter list are Savouge Spin Doctors playmaker John Michael Paglaon and Fil-Korean Elijah Tae-Yin Kim.
Familiar faces are set to form the Philippine wall on the net in Kim Malabunga, Peng Taguibolos, Lloyd Josafat, JP Bugaoan, and Fil-Italian middle blocker-slash-Criss Cross reserve Luca Mamone.
Two-time UAAP MVP and best outside hitter Josh Ybañez will still be fielded as a libero along with Jack Kalingking and Vince Lorenzo.
From the 21 names listed, only 14 will make the cut in the Filipinos’ first-ever World Championship team in men’s volleyball.
Final cuts to be made in Europe
Frigoni will have one last look at his 21-man pool during their final series of training camps in Europe this month before taking on the world stage on home soil.
“I can select [about] 18 players, that's okay, because we have a big group in case somebody gets injured, in case they are out of condition, and everything. I will make a list, a big list, 18 players," he previously said.
"From there, I will select. If they will have more opportunity to play [before the Worlds], they have more chances to be on the [final] 14 for the World Championship.”
Alas Men will first head to Morocco, followed by trips to Romania and Portugal, before returning home for the FIVB Worlds.
The Philippines will kickstart the tournament on September 12 against 11-time African champion Tunisia in Pool A, before testing its luck against regional powerhouses Egypt and Iran.
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